A LOCAL cider producer will now have its products on the shelves of regional co-operative.

The Taunton Cider Company will have its ciders added to the ‘Local Flavours’ range offered by Southern Co-Op.

That means that its products will be on offer in a total of 16 stores run by the independent co-operative in Berkshire, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

The Local Flavours range currently has around 200 local suppliers and 200 stores in 11 different counties across the south of England, with products ranging from eggs and milk to luxury chocolate and alcoholic drinks.

Taunton Cider was once the largest cider company in the world and, since it was reformed in 2016, the company has sought to bring back its history and heritage by making a traditional craft cider, using proper methods.

Taunton Cider won 30 awards in its first four years and its products being stocked in Southern Co-op’s stores are Taunton Dry Cider, Taunton Medium Cider and Taunton Vintage Cider.

Jonathan Dunne, the founder and owner of Taunton Cider, said: “We have grown by word of mouth and by people trying our cider - it is what cider really should taste like.

“It is fermented naturally, conditioned and then blended by our master cider maker.

“It is a natural, slower process than the big commercial ciders makers use.

“We are about to take over some orchards to restore them to their former glory, and are planning a new Somerset Orchard.”

The new products will be available at The Co-operative Food stores in Bow’s Burston Road, Bradford-on-Avon’s Winsley Road, Bristol’s Ashley Down Road and Whiteladies Road, Burnham-on-Sea’s Berrow Road, Cotford St Luke’s Graham Way, Cranbrook’s Younghayes Road, Exmouth’s Exeter Road, Frome’s Nunney Road, Lambourn’s High Street, Mere’s The Square, Newbury’s Brummell Road, Pill’s Baltic Place, Portishead’s Port Marine, Shrewton’s High Street, and Sturminster’s Station Road.